Toy

Application filed January 13, 1930. Serial No. 420,438.

member 14 by which the standard 10 is supported. A ball 16 is placed on the upper end of the standard and engages the upper end of the coiled wire 12. A primary rider which is in the form of a disk 18 is mounted β,^!5 on the standard 10, . this rider being constructed of any suitable sheet material. This rider has a central hole 20, the diameter of which is slightly less than that of the diameter of the helix 12 but is slightly mo greater, than that of the standard 10 where-. by the rider moves freely with relation to the standard considered per se and hence may have an oscillating movement but at the same time is restrained by the convolu- ^!’£ tio.ns of the helix, so as to be thereby given a rotating movement as . it moves downwardly by gravity. ,. The sheet material of . the rider is thinner than the distance be- . tween adjacent convolutions of the. helix 70 with, the result that when the rider is disposed at the upper end of the standard,, it will work its way downwardly by gravity with a combined, oscillating and rotating motion which may be defined as a wabbling 75 movement consisting of two components, one of which is an · up and . down . swinging movement occurring at diametrically opposite sides of the standard, progressively around the same ap,d the other of which is ./ a rotating .movement around the axis of. the standard. Above the rider 18, there is a , secondary rider 22 containing, a hole 24, the diameter of which is greater than that of _:the helix so that this rider, may slide freely 85 along the helix. Operating means is placed between the two riders whereby, the motion of the primary rider imparts motion of . a different character to the secondary rider.

In the form herein shown, the operating 00 means consists of a spacer element 26 in the form of a tube which is_: rounded on the lower end and flat on the upper end., this tube containing a hole of sufficient size to permit the tube to .slide along the helix. The secondary rider-22 as herein shown is in the form of a hub or central member having a plurality ;of pivot members 28. extending out therefrom. In the .embodi-. . ment shown, there are two of the pivot '

My invention relates to toys, and an object in general is to provide a device which while of a comparatively simple and inexpensive nature, is of an extremely amusing and at5 tractive character. An object m particular is to provide a device of this k¹¹¹^ two members so related to each other tha when the device is in operation, one ot tne members has a movement which imparts 10 lifelike movement to toy figures carried by the other member. In carrying Out my invention, I provide a standard upon which, two riders are mounted, one m spaced relation above the: other, the device being so 15 constructed and arranged that a wabbling or combined oscillating and rotating motion is imparted to the lower rider and this wabbling motion in turn imparts movement to'toy figures carried by: the upper rider so 20 that these toy figures are given a galloping, running, dancing, or other lifelike^, movement on account, of the feet thereof .being struck in succession by. the lower rider while ο-oing through its compound movement.

The full objects and: advantages _:ot my invention will appear , in connection with the detailed description thereof, and. the novel features of my inventive idea will be .particularly pointed out in the . claims. ..

so .. In the accompanying drawings: which illustrate my invention in one. of the forms in which· it may be embodied,—Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the·, de vice with .asmaU portion shown in vertical section. Fig. 2 :s is a fragmentary elevational view showing one position assumed bythe riders.and.toy. fio-ures.' Fig. 3 is. a fragmentary elevational· vFew showing another._; position assumed.by the riders and. toy figures. Fig,. 4 is a view 10 in vertical section of the lower .portion, or the support with the riders thereon: in, the position which they. assume 5 when at the lower end of their travel along the support.

As shown in the drawings, I provide a i> support or standard,10 in the form of a rod which is surrounded by a helix which may be produced in any suitable manner. In the embodiment.herein illustrated, this helix is in the form of a coiled wire 12, the 50 lower end of which. is secured to a base

1,817,751 members 28 extending out horizontally from diametrically opposite sides of the rider 22, but it will be understood that the number of pivot members may be increased without ^? changing the character of the invention.

Toy figures 30 are supported on the pivot members 28 for rocking or swinging movement, the pivoting place of the figures being such that the figures will normally assume ¹¹¹ substantial!j⁷ the natural position which they have when standing in repose and with legs disposed appreciable distances from each other on opposite sides of a vertical line passing through the pivot point. As ^!shown herein, the toy figures are in the form of reindeer having horns 32, but it will be understood that the particular shape or form given to the figures is no part of the invention and that the same may be varied as desired. As shown in Fig. 4, the outer ends of the pivot members 28 are provided with heads which retain the figures pivotally mounted while beads 34 are placed between the hub 22 and the figures to space the latter the proper distance from the center of rotation. When the rider 18 has reached the lower end of its travel, it comes to rest upon a bead 36 which is freely movable on the ,. ₍ helix and is shown resting upon the base member 14. Upon grasping the bead 36, the riders may be quickly slid to the upper end of the standard, it being understood that when sufficient force is applied, the rider 18 will slide over the helix 12.

³³ The operation of the toy will be understood. from the foregoing description especially in connection with Figs. 2 and 3. It will be noted that at least some of the ίθθί of the toy figures are always spaced ironi the rider since the distance between this rider 18 and the pivot is greater than the average distance between the feet and a horizontal plane passing through the pivot. Therefore, when the rider 18 is working its way downwardly, the oscillating movement thereof will cause different feet of the toy figure to be struck and lifted successively by the rider so that the figures are given a _s,. swinging movement as will be apparent from the two positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The sound produced by the rider striking the feet will simulate the sound produced by galloping or other movement and _r, will add to the attractiveness of the toy.